BirdWatch Ireland welcomes the momentous decision made today to give additional protection to a giant Marine Protected Area in the North Atlantic important for Puffins that breed in Ireland and a whole host of other marine life. We also welcome the positive vote of the Irish government.
Fifteen governments who are signatories to the OSPAR convention designated the seafloor of the North Atlantic Current and Evlanov Sea basin (NACES) Marine Protected Area (MPA), acknowledging the site’s unparalleled significance for a multitude of marine species and the extraordinary value of its seabed habitats.
Nestled in the heart of the North Atlantic Ocean outside of Ireland’s EEZ, this sprawling MPA spans an area roughly equivalent to continental France. In 2021, OSPAR designated it as an MPA following extensive research led by BirdLife International, which involved using tracking data from 21 species of seabirds across 56 colonies. This tracking data revealed that 5 million birds, including Puffins that breed on Skellig Michael, use the NACES MPA every year, making the site a seabird hotspot and as one of the most significant congregations of migratory seabirds in the Atlantic. However, until today, the NACES MPA’s seafloor was unprotected.
Evidence gathered over the last two years unearthed a treasure trove of iconic marine species that depend on the NACES MPA. Majestic creatures such as Blue and Fin whales, Leatherback and Loggerhead turtles, Basking sharks, European eels, and Atlantic Bluefin Tuna have been revealed as key inhabitants of this marine sanctuary. They use the site for migration and foraging, and it serves as an important habitat throughout the seasons. Moreover, the MPA’s seafloor habitats include over 30 seamounts. Recent insights have revealed existence of vulnerable marine ecosystems, such as deep-sea sponges and coral gardens, which serve as crucial pillars for supporting a wide array of vibrant ecosystems.
“The NACES MPA is a vital wintering ground for the globally threatened Atlantic Puffin, a species in rapid decline and one which also breeds in Ireland during the summer and is much loved. Today’s decision is an incredibly important first step to ensure that this biodiversity hotspot in the North Atlantic high seas can continue to support the abundance and diversity of marine life that relies on the area as part of their life cycle” Sinéad Loughran, Marine Policy & Advocacy Officer, BirdWatch Ireland.
Over 16,400 citizens joined BirdWatch Ireland’s and BirdLife International’s call for better protection of the site and we thank each and every one who signed the petition. Today’s decision from OSPAR to expand the conservation objectives of the site will benefit nature across the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean. This ground breaking achievement serves as a beacon of hope, paving the way for concrete actions to ensure the proper preservation of this precious biodiversity hotspot. It is now essential that OSPAR develops a management plan for the site.
